Laptop – Additional Animals
Jesse Hartman’s legendary electro-pop project Laptop always thrived on political satire and beautiful pop songs, and “Additional Animals” is no different. Hartman characterizes the track as “a song about extinction that you can dance to,” and it succeeds in that promise: an emphatic denunciation of human overconsumption covered in attractive pop glitter. The song begins with futuristic guitar tones similar of the band The Cure, which connect the tune in an explosion of nostalgic but progressive energy. Hartman’s vocal approach crosses the line between pop-rock and sardonic storytelling, which is ideal for the subject matter. The music builds into a cheerful, even celebratory atmosphere with vibrant trumpets adding a jazzy, festive vibe that contrasts dramatically with the words’ darker meanings. “Additional Animals” has a dark comedy-like lyrical style. Phrases such as “Please ship in some more meat / We can’t do all veggie / We need to have more meat” satirize people’s endless desire for resources, food, or infinite consumption. Consumerist thirst becomes a sort of ridiculous ritual as the phrase “Additional animals” is repeated with a spiritual passion. The song, which is at sections cheerful and at other times alarming symbolizes the conflict between our costly and happy lifestyle and the approaching environmental disaster it causes. Hartman uses pop compositions to express his message despite the serious subject. This is a smart tactic that forces listeners to move while also facing difficult truths.
Photo Credit: Laptop photo by Thomas Krause
